by Joyce
I didn’t deny it. “Leave it alone for now. Maybe I can explain later.”
Dorothy helped Elsie into the car, and we were off again.
All the conversation was excited talk about the celebration. I looked out at the full moon, which sailed in the dark sky above us like a schooner in calm seas. I could feel its power reflected in the amulet. It helped that we were so near the Cape Fear River. The celebration was taking place at a park that was beside the water.
Was I a fool not to take advantage of the Bone Man’s offer to show me how to use the amulet?
I might never know for sure. But believing that he could keep Joe and Mike safe would be a load off my mind. Of course, I would have to believe it first—and that would mean finding a way to prove it without taking a chance with Joe’s memory. It was something I would have to think carefully about.
We arrived at the crowded park—who knew there would be so many witches coming for the celebration? Normally we only saw a few dozen. It looked like Portia had done a good job letting everyone know about the event. The council would be pleased.
Dorothy found a place to park, and we lugged everything we’d brought with us to the first available picnic table. Before doing anything else, we lit some candles and joined hands to bless the table and the event. Elsie had brought a beautiful rose-colored linen tablecloth that enhanced the table.
We put out our food to share with everyone. Each of us carried our magic tool in one form or another. I had added my tiny silver cauldron around my neck, along with the amulet, as my mark of being a water witch.
Elsie carried her sword in a gorgeous satin sheath with a shoulder strap. Dorothy had surprised us all and had a setting made for her emerald cull so she could wear it around her neck.
“I was afraid I’d lose it if I kept dragging it around in my pocket.” She blushed at our compliments on the unusual and beautiful setting she’d had created for it.
“That’s my daughter.” Olivia smiled. “She’s a chip of the old block. I’ve always had exquisite taste. But you girls know that.”
Elsie smiled but kept her comment to herself.
“Good evening, ladies.” Brian made a gallant bow to us. He was extremely handsome in black velvet pants and black satin shirt. His brown hair was carefully combed away from his face. A bright blue scarf around his neck mirrored the color of his eyes.
I glanced at Dorothy. She was mesmerized.
“Good evening, sir.” Elsie tried to do an elaborate curtsy and almost fell on the damp ground.
Brian rushed to her rescue and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Let’s take a walk and see who’s here.”
I poked Dorothy. She hadn’t said a word.
Brian smiled at Dorothy and offered his opposite arm. She smiled back. The deal was sealed.
I stayed behind with Olivia, who’d agreed to remain there with me after significant glances in their direction. “Aren’t they cute together?”
“I suppose so.” She sighed. “I’m having a hard time letting go of her, Molly. It’s too soon. We’re just getting to know each other.”
“Even if she dates Brian—even if she marries him—she’s going to stay in your life. She has a lot to learn from you.”
“You really think so?”
“Yes. This is her home. She loves the house and her new life with you. She’s going to be a great witch one day. And her children will love you too.”
Olivia had no tears to cry anymore, but something streamed down her face like tears. “But what about you and Elsie? If I stay here with Dorothy and the two of you move to Boca, I’ll never see you.”
“We’ll see each other. I don’t expect Mike to move to Boca. I think that means frequent trips up here to see him and his family, and you and your family.”
“That makes me feel so much better, Molly. Thank you.” Olivia put her arms out and tried to hug me. It was a strange feeling since there was something there, but it wasn’t a warm body.
Two young witches who I didn’t recognize strolled up. They saw Olivia, of course, and made a few rude comments about ghosts at the full moon festival.
“Ignore them,” I told Olivia. “We don’t care what they think.”
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, the rune in my palm began itching and burning. I looked at the two witches. Was one of them the Bone Man’s wife? How would I know for sure?
I coaxed Olivia into leaving the picnic table so I could follow the witches. I had to get a better idea of how this worked. Would the rune change if I confronted the Bone Man’s wife?
When the two young witches stopped to chat with another group, I pretended they’d dropped something on the ground and tried to get them to face me.
“It’s the freak with the ghost,” one of them said.
“What do you want?” the other asked, as they walked away. “I’m not talking to you with that thing hanging around. We’re not supposed to have the undead here.”
“Why you . . .” Olivia was angry. She rushed through both witches, leaving a cold, clammy sensation behind. I’d experienced it before. It was distinctly unpleasant.
Both witches crossed their arms on their chests, shivering. They ran into the darkness, scared.
“Not a good idea,” I muttered, looking around to see if anyone else had noticed.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. I’m tired of being treated like a third-class citizen. I have every right to be here too.”
The burning and itching didn’t go away with the witches. My hand was already red and raw from it. I looked around the crowded riverside park. There were no other witches close to us. I couldn’t confront every witch who was there. I definitely needed something more specific.
There was a series of sparks and shooting flames in the middle of the new green of the park. The fireworks were followed by changing purple, red and green smoke.
Everyone applauded. I saw Brian, Elsie and Dorothy near the front of the display. I wanted to join them, but I didn’t think it was a good idea to have Olivia up there. We stayed at the back of the crowd that had gathered.
Portia de Winter arose from the colored smoke and extended her arms to every witch there. “Merry Meet, fellow witches. Welcome to the moon celebration.”
CHAPTER 13
Merry Meet we join together,
Wind and rain, friends forever.
Portia talked about how wonderful it was to see such a large crowd gathered in the park. She talked about the power of the full moon and hoped we all had important ideas in mind for our spells.
She was only the center of attention for a few moments before there was another large blast of sparks and flames. Cassandra was there, raised above us by a flaming platform.
She was dressed in black silk that caught the moonlight, which shimmered in the material. Her hair danced around her, caressed by unseen wind currents.
Even if you didn’t like her—as many there didn’t—you had to admit it was an incredible entrance.
“Hear me, sisters! I bring you warning of a terrible threat that has come to the Wilmington area. Someone is killing our young men, leaving behind little of their bodies. Protect yourselves. Use stronger spells. So far the deaths have only been male witches, but this could change. The Grand Council of Witches is here for you. We are investigating these deaths and hope to have the culprit taken shortly.”
There was a moment of stark silence that followed her announcement. It immediately ended with dozens of questions about the threat against us. All the witches were frightened and unsure if their protection spells were strong enough to handle the danger.
“Farewell. Blessed Be!” Cassandra left without answering a single query. She disappeared in the same flame that had brought her.
“What a waste of a perfectly good dress,” Olivia said. “I’m sure that wasn’t off the rack e
ither.”
After all the excitement was over, Olivia and I headed back to our picnic table. Brian, Dorothy and Elsie joined us soon after.
“Can you believe that about witches being killed?” Elsie asked.
“Cassandra told us about it at the shop, remember?” I replied.
“That’s right. I knew I’d heard it somewhere.”
Brian brought his food—store-bought chicken and potato salad—to our table and took a seat beside Dorothy. “I just want to apologize to all of you for losing it while we were blessing the houses. My parents make me crazy. And I didn’t mean to do anything to your daughter, Elsie.”
She smiled and patted his hand. “I understand. Family can be excruciating. Have some of this macaroni salad I made. I even baked fresh bread and cookies.”
“Cookies!” Dorothy squealed. “I love eating dessert first, like Bill Clinton.”
We all laughed at that as we passed around the food. Other witches stopped at our table to share blessings and food with us. It was a beautiful night on the river.
I would have enjoyed it more without the rune on my palm. The constant itching and burning was annoying. It made me long for some aloe to ease it, even though that would be defeating the purpose.
“I think the deaths of these witches are part of the same case Joe is working on,” I said. “When he and Suzanne were at the house for lunch today, they got confirmation of a death in Southport being linked to the other killings.”
Elsie blinked as she bit into a cucumber. “Joe and his ex-wife were having lunch at your house today?”
“They were waiting to hear about the murder.” I picked up one of Elsie’s delicious chocolate fudge cookies.
“Were they already there when you got home?” Dorothy nibbled the edge off a cherry tart. “Awkward.”
“It wasn’t awkward at all,” I told her, even though it had been. “They’re partners. Partners eat lunch together.”
“But usually partners aren’t people who were formerly married,” Olivia added. “Don’t tell me that doesn’t bother you, Molly.”
“You’re looking at this the wrong way,” I said.
“I agree with Molly,” Brian added. “Just because Joe is at her house with his ex-wife doesn’t mean something ugly is going on. They’re working together. Men can work with a woman without thinking of her as a sexual object.”
Elsie and Olivia burst out laughing.
“Not in my experience,” Olivia said.
“Certainly not in my late husband’s experience,” Elsie said.
“Forget I brought it up,” I finally said. “We should be focusing our moon energy on finding our spell book anyway.”
“I have a new locator spell if you want to try it,” Brian offered.
We agreed, and held hands around the table, concentrating on our spell book. Olivia hovered near us to feel like she was part of the coven. We each held a silver coin to draw moon energy to our cause.
After a few minutes, we sat back and released our hands.
“I hope one of us will have a dream later that shows where the spell book is hidden,” Brian said. “That’s the way this works. If you have a place where you can sleep in the moonlight, it will be even stronger.”
“Good evening, ladies. Brian.”
I looked up, surprised to see Abdon Fuller standing beside us. He was Brian’s grandfather and one of the most powerful witches on the council.
“Granddad.” Brian tried to get to his feet but was hampered by the picnic table. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Elsie muttered before swallowing a gulp of sweet tea.
It was a surprise for us too. I’d seen him at various large witch functions a few times since I was a child, but I had never talked to him. I’d never seen him so close.
He didn’t resemble Brian at all. He had blunt features, a crooked nose and a twisted mouth. He had a large scar on one cheek that gave him a pirate look. I wondered why such a powerful witch would keep a scar like that when he could easily remove it.
“Mr. Fuller.” Dorothy scooted off the bench to allow Brian to get up. She stuck out her trembling hand to Abdon.
He looked the other way. “Brian, if I may have a word alone with you.”
“I know what you have to say, Granddad. Mom and Dad already said it.”
Abdon lifted one corner of his lip in an attempt to smile. It only made him appear to snarl. “I’m sure you’d rather not hear what I have to say in front of your new friends.”
The way he said “friends” sounded like the way someone else would say “trash.” Elsie tried to get to her feet. I was glad the picnic table still held her hostage. Abdon Fuller would laugh at a witch with her limited abilities.
Brian glanced at us. “All right. But I’ll be back.” He bent his head and kissed Dorothy full on the mouth. “Don’t go anywhere.”
The look of disgust on Abdon’s face was apparent even in the dim light. He turned his back and began to walk away. Brian caught up with him, and the two disappeared into the darkness.
“I’ve never met anyone ruder than that man,” Olivia said.
“I thought about turning his head into a watermelon,” Elsie said. “I couldn’t get up from this stupid bench. He was lucky tonight.”
I smiled but hid it behind my hand. Elsie was lucky she couldn’t confront him. It could have meant serious consequences for her—and for the rest of us, as we wouldn’t have stood still and watched her be abused.
“Are you sure you want to get involved with this messed-up family?” Olivia asked Dorothy.
“A person doesn’t get to choose her family,” Dorothy replied. “I was just lucky that I could be with the three of you. Brian wasn’t so lucky.”
Brian came back a few minutes later. He was oddly quiet the rest of the time we were there. We didn’t leave the park until after midnight. There was very little food to pack up by then. I was happy not to take anything home.
“It was a good celebration.” Elsie yawned. “I’m ready to go to bed now.”
Brian said good night. I sensed an awful sadness and finality in his tone. He didn’t kiss Dorothy good-bye. I hoped he’d be all right.
The burning and itching in my palm went away as soon as we left the park. It had to mean that the Bone Man’s wife was a witch and that she had been at the celebration. But which of possibly hundreds of witches was she? Was she new to the area or had she lived here for a long time? Maybe I’d known her forever without realizing who she was.
We got back to Elsie’s house quickly, since there was no traffic on the streets. I was ready to get out and help her.
She put her hand on my arm to stop me. “Tell us right now what happened with the Bone Man’s deal, Molly, before we get in too deep.”
“I’ll have to use an enchanted bubble.” I gave in to the inevitable. I’d hidden the problem with Joe for a long time. It would be good to share it with my friends.
“How will that work with me?” Olivia asked.
None of us had the answer. She was the first ghost we’d ever tried to share with.
“Let’s just do it and see what happens,” Dorothy said. “I mean, when you’re ready. I don’t know how to make an enchanted bubble.”
“It’s a good time for you to learn,” Elsie decided. “The spell is pretty easy. I think I did my first bubble when I was eight or nine.”
I waited to see if she was going to do the bubble. Elsie glanced at me. I knew she either couldn’t remember or didn’t feel up to it.
“All right.” I bent my head and muttered the incantation.
CHAPTER 14
Shield us now from hurt and fear,
Keep the silence round us here.
Words of anger, words of pain,
Never to be heard again.
> “Cool!” Dorothy said. “It’s like the whole car is surrounded by gray slime.”
I opened my eyes. She was right about the whole car being involved. Olivia was in the car, too, so it included her.
“And that’s how we make an enchanted bubble,” I said. “Once you’re inside the bubble, no one can hear you outside—including the council. How long it will last depends on how much magic you put into it. I’ve seen them last for a day before, but usually you only conjure one for a short conversation. Anything more draws attention.”
“Well, let’s get to it before the bubble is gone,” Elsie said. “Tell us, Molly.”
I explained about finding it necessary to tell Joe about magic. There was a group gasp at that. “I didn’t have any choice. I was afraid he might be killed. I decided that I would rather lose his memories than lose him.”
“Quite a risk, and a debatable question,” Elsie declared. “So he’s kept it to himself?”
“Except for one night right before we were going to sleep. But that was a while ago. Nothing happened.”
“And then you started seeing the Bone Man,” Olivia reminded me. “How can you be sure it wasn’t just a council trick to get you to admit it?”
“Again, nothing has happened. The Bone Man offered to tell me how to use the magic in this amulet in exchange for finding his wife. I changed the trade. He promised to protect Joe and Mike from the council.”
Elsie slapped her hand to her forehead. “You’ve got to be kidding me! One little demonstration of water magic and you were willing to risk your family’s lives? I can’t believe it, Molly.”
“You weren’t there,” I argued. “I don’t know what kind of magic he has, but I don’t know a water witch who can raise the ocean at will, do you?”
Everyone had to admit that it didn’t seem like a parlor trick.
“So what happens now?” Dorothy asked.
“I find the Bone Man’s wife for him, and take her to Oak Island. He protects Joe and Mike in case Joe makes a mistake. Mike doesn’t know. The Bone Man has never gone back on a pledge to one of us. His deals are always true. I have no reason to think this won’t be the same.”
